Blog

When to Plant Sweet Corn in Webster County, NE

Sweet corn is bred for high sugar content in its kernels, which convert to starch rapidly after harvest. Modern supersweet varieties hold their sweetness longer.

Webster County, Nebraska is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is April 26 and the first fall frost is October 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 169 days.

At an elevation of 925 feet, Webster County receives approximately 23.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Sweet Corn during the growing season.

Webster County, NE (Zone 5a) Moderate season
169 days
Last Spring Frost April 26
169 growing days
First Fall Frost October 12

Webster County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-7.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (63 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 22 🍅 Harvest: Jun 24 – Aug 5
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (64 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 26 🍅 Harvest: Jun 28 – Aug 9
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (59 days to spare)
Transplant: May 11 🍅 Harvest: Jul 13 – Aug 24

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.6″/week
You supply
0.5″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 764 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Sweet Corn needs ~1,144 GDD — county provides 2,577 GDD Excellent fit

Sweet Corn Planting Timeline โ€” Webster County, NE

Sweet Corn Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow May 3 May 3 โ€“ May 24
Harvest July 5 Jul 5 โ€“ Aug 16

Plant 1" deep ยท 12" apart ยท Rows 36" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April โ€”
May Direct Sow
June โ€”
July Harvest
August Harvest
September โ€”
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

60โ€“90 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 5a

Growing Season

169 days

Growing Tips for Webster County

Plant in blocks of at least 4 rows for wind pollination. Direct sow after soil is warm. Isolate supersweet varieties from other corn types to prevent cross-pollination.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Tomatoes

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Sweet Corn in Webster County, NE?

Webster County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of April 26. Plan your Sweet Corn planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Webster County, NE?

Webster County, Nebraska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is April 26 and first fall frost is October 12.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Webster County gardeners in Zone 5a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Webster County, NE. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.